Forest lands of Ukraine: challenges, legislative regulation and strategic directions of development

Authors

  • Ye. Butenko National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine image/svg+xml
  • O. Kuznetsova Cherkasy State Technological University image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31548/

Keywords:

forest lands, climate change, functions of forest lands, contamination of forest areas, military operations, post-war restoration, forest policy of the European Union, problems of inefficient forest land management, development strategy, legislative support, forest land management

Abstract

The article identifies the value of Ukraine's forest lands as a strategic natural resource that performs numerous economic, environmental and social functions. In particular, the need for effective forest land management to preserve the environment and prevent land degradation is emphasized.

A comprehensive analysis of the current state of forest land use and its key problems in the context of military operations and challenges associated with the war was conducted. The main aspects of forest land use were revealed, taking into account their environmental, economic and social significance for the country. An analysis of the most important instruments of the European Union's forest policy and the possibility of their implementation in Ukraine was carried out.

In the process of studying information on the state of forest lands in Ukraine, their dynamics and the features of their functional use, special attention was paid to forest land management as an important component of the European Union's climate and energy framework until 2030. The article focuses on the need for a comprehensive approach to effective forest land management in Ukraine in achieving the ecological balance of forest protection, ecosystem restoration and their effective use.

The issue of contamination of forest areas with explosives is highlighted, and ways to overcome this problem are considered.

The main regulatory legal acts that regulate land and forest relations are analyzed, in particular the Land and Forest Codes of Ukraine, laws and by-laws that regulate the rights and obligations of management bodies, as well as owners and users of forest lands.

The article identifies the need to supplement the existing regulatory legal framework for forest land management with a strategic direction for overcoming the consequences of war and post-war state development.

Received: 18.09.2026;

Accepted: 01.10.2026;

Author Biographies

  • Ye. Butenko, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

    Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor

  • O. Kuznetsova, Cherkasy State Technological University

    senior lecturer

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Published

2026-12-30

Issue

Section

Land relations and current problems of land reform

How to Cite

Butenko, Y., & Kuznetsova, O. (2026). Forest lands of Ukraine: challenges, legislative regulation and strategic directions of development. Land Management, Cadastre and Land Monitoring, 4. https://doi.org/10.31548/